Helen's Adventures Continue!

Cotswold 113 – accidental duathlon?

After the disappointment of my swim at Nottingham half I was hoping to ‘put that issue to bed’ today, but that was not to be as the weather gods had other ideas……

Earlier in the week I had queried power with Paul, having never raced to power successfully I wanted to know what I needed to put out, his response? 175w = 2:44 and 185w = 2:41, I looked at the second figure and laughed – in my dreams! Weather watching gave us a dry day with winds of 6 – 8mph so almost perfect, wind picking up as the day went on, but I thought I would be off the bike by then 🤣

A much better nights sleep and reassuring ‘regularity’ on race morning, bike racked and awaiting my 6:40 swim start, but the lake was covered in fog so start delayed for 10 minutes, then 20, then another 20, then cancelled – rolling bike start.

Transition turned into a giant queue of bikes wanting to get out, I chose to hang back and let the masses go, treat it as a training day and try and nail the power target, kept beautifully warm by my @sellarselite hoody – very grateful for it!

Finally on the ride and the miles just seemed to whizz by, I overtook lots of others and was sticking as well as I could to my power, couple of slow sections after two nasty looking accidents, really hope the riders are ok and I was on the home stretch, caffeine gel in and ready to hit the dismount, very nearly didn’t make it as I forgot to unclip the right and get off my bike in my surprise to see just shy of 2:38 on my Garmin and power av of 183w.

Out on the run, not keen on the course as it’s more trail than road and it was a bit damp with some muddy sections – but time to get on with it. GPS was all over the place so pace was difficult to gauge, tried running to feel and know I had some slow moments, but once again huge surprise when I crossed the line sub 1:40 (only just mind you) having ‘dragged’ a fellow last lap runner with me, lovely when a 21 year says ‘I want to be as fast as you when I am as old as you’………

Crazy lady that I am, I showered and went to join my husband marshalling to meet Lise about to start her last lap looking troubled – so off I went with her for a further 4 plus miles, fortunately she was not going at a strong pace so my tired legs could keep up, absolutely honoured to help her achieve her finish after she told me her story – and why I love the inclusiveness of triathlon.

Slightly disappointed to find these results were not worth a podium place, very fast ladies, but after finishing top 18% of women and top 40% overall at Nottingham (and I know there was a pro field) to then finish top 7% of all women today and top 23% overall – not a shabby day out!

Well earned few days of light training before it’s back to the grind with 10 weeks to Outlaw X………

And maybe a return visit next year with sub 5 as a target?